Ridge Wines from California – Episode #158

January 3, 2007

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Wines tasted in this episode:

Ridge is a very famous winery in California and today Gary Vaynerchuk tastes a few examples because that’s what the fans want!

115 Responses

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  1. January 4, 2007

    Tony S.

    Nice. I’ve always liked Ridge. Ummm…I’ve had plenty of satisfying Zins, but I can’t really think of which single one I like the best. I’ve always been happy with Turley, and now that their prices are getting a little more reasonable, they’re even better. I definately think Zins should always be affordable though.

    A company called Outpost makes a pretty kick-butt Zin. I’ve only had it twice, but both times I was impressed. OK, have a blast in Bahston. Do those people tailgate with Lobster? Tell your defensive ends to sack Brady a whole bunch of times, cause I’m sick of my wife constantly telling me how hot he is.

    GO BEARS!!!
    T

  2. January 4, 2007

    Eric Anderson

    QOTD- Peachy Canyon Incredible Red is my favorite Zinfandel.

    Show idea- 4 wines from Justin Winery
    Syrahs (including Ojai)
    Please no more Sauvignon Blanc tastings

    E

  3. January 4, 2007

    Chris D.

    QOTD — Absolute best Zin ever poured down my gullet…. Hands down — 1985 Nalle.

    CD

  4. January 4, 2007

    upstater

    First post…ever…how bout some sherry. Never was really into it, then had the 1927 solera…it was awesome. And bring out supafly snooka!!!!

    1) Alvear Fino Sherry
    Type: Spanish Sherry
    Size: 750ML | Vintage: | Library Code: 21068 | Email this

    2) Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927
    Type: Spanish Dessert Wine
    Library Code: 2881

  5. January 4, 2007

    Nathan N

    Great Show

    QOTD: Haven’t had to many Zins untill last year so far we like the 04 2Up, & the Grappler

    Can you please try these wines?
    Library Code: 7505 Twenty Bench Cab
    Library Code: 27784 Lemelson Pinot Noir Cuvee X 2003

  6. January 4, 2007

    dobs

    Long-time lurker but can’t resist given that I love zins.

    First off, Lars is amazing. As a former Minnesotan, he’s dead-on, scary good. Reminds me of my father-in-law from the northern woods.

    Favorite zins? Hard to argue against those who suggested Rosenblum’s Rockpile, a really hot AVA these days. Same goes for recent Elyse releases, though they have that oak-monster and high-alcohol thing going (RP wines) and so might seem slightly unbalanced for some. And I’ve heard from others that Swift’s Prisoner is awesome. Agree that the Turley’s have lost some of their charm; last 3-4 bottles have been disappointing. Di Arie’s an interesting wine and I like it enough to buy a half-case every year or two. Yet it tastes a little manufactured to me (perhaps no surprise given the winemaker’s pedigree; I swear that you can actually taste the Captain Crunch in his wines).

    I used to like Ravenswood and their “no wimpy wines” philosophy a lot–especially the Old Hill and Dickerson bottlings. Yet they went through a slump a few years ago. I think they’re finding their stride again, yet in the end I come back to Ridge with my favorites being the voluptuous ‘97 or ‘01 Pagani or perhaps the sleeker ‘99 Lytton. The Ridge “magic” is Draper’s talent and the fact that they use field blends (with petite syrah especially) that make their wines more multidimensional with far greater structure than most.

    Great segment, Gary. Since it’s play-off time, why not continue with the zins on Friday and compare your fav Ridge zin (Geyserville?) to some of the others in your portfolio, including Shelton and Di Arie? Here’s a suggested line-up, though it omits several other potential superstars from Rosenblum, Seghesio, Terraces and Storybook, as well as your great value in the Rocky Creek:

    Carol Shelton 2004 Rockpile (9638)
    di Arie 2003 Southern Exposure (8066)
    Fife 2002 Old Vines (9332)
    Ravensood 2004 Barricia (28801)or Tedeschi (28800)
    Ridge (your choice)

    p.s. agree the 2004 Lytton was overrated at 95 pts; even Tanzer’s number seems high for this wine especially given how stingy he typically is. Maybe I’m missing something and it will knit together in a few years? Hope so.

  7. January 4, 2007

    Steve B

    QOTD #1: Turley and Nalle

    QOTD#2: 2005 Pinots from smaller producers
    Landmark Pinot Noir Grand Detour 28995
    any AP Vin 29448 29445 29451 29449 29447 29446 29452
    any Loring 28933 28934 28935 28936 28937
    Sineann Pinot Noir Wyeast 28303
    Bjornstad Pinot Noir Hellenthal 29667

  8. January 4, 2007

    Bill T.

    QOD – My Favorite Zin has got to be a 2004 Elyse Howell Mountain Zin …absolutely wonderful!

  9. January 4, 2007

    Joe Po

    JOEYdaMUSH, great observation on the labels!LOL
    Gary, Zins are the best.Thanks a bunch.
    Seghesio can not be beat on taste and price.Delicious!

  10. January 4, 2007

    mike volker

    Yoakim Bridge Dry Creek Valley

  11. January 4, 2007

    eugene

    Thanks, Gary
    Very interesting episode.

    I haven’t had zin in a while but I really liked Dry Creek vineyards old vine zinfandel .

  12. January 4, 2007

    Jeff

    I 2nd Vinifera’s suggestion of a Finger Lakes episode. (Welcome Vinifera and thanks for your suggestions)

  13. January 4, 2007

    Lars

    Hey, Wine Guy. Great episode. Zins are at the top of my list.

    QOD: Nalle. Hands down. Doug and Lee Nalle make an incredible Zin. The Wine Guy should check them out. http://www.nallewinery.com/

    Say, didn’t Namath wear pantyhose? The playoff beard is enough, so don’t you be thinkin’ on emulating Broadway Joe.

    Lars

  14. January 4, 2007

    Kent Benson

    Gary, here’s a fabulous Zin I bet you’ve never had, maybe never even heard of. It’s called C.G. di Arie, and it is incredible. The grapes are sourced from “The Original Grandpère Vineyard” in the Shanandoah Valley. Established 130 years ago, it is the oldest living Zinfandel vineyard in America. The grapes come from the southern-exposures slope at 1,600 feet. The founders are Chaim and Elisheva Gur-Ariehs.

    Chaim is a Turkish-born Israeli, who immigrated to the US and became a highly successful food scientist, responsible for developing such products as, Cap’n Crunch Cereal, Del Monte Pudding Cups, wine coolers, and Power Bars.

    The 2004 is 86.5% Zinfandel, 9.0% Petite Sirah Lodi, 3.5% Cabernat Sauvignon, 14.7% alcohol, 3.6 pH, and less than 0.1% residual sugar. It was produced in Chaim’s unique “Submerged Cap” fermentation tanks. Intead of pumping over or punching down the cap, Chaim’s method keeps the cap completely submerged for the entire fermentation period, resulting in incredible flavor extration and unblievably silky tannins. You have to experience it to believe it.

  15. January 4, 2007

    KAHUNA

    ugh I type like I am still drunk

  16. January 4, 2007

    Eric O

    I am fairly new to wine drinking, but so far my favorite zin has been the 02 Ridge Geyserville I had a tasting some months back. I also enjoy many Paso Robles zins, though I am biased because there and Monterey, CA, is where I lived when I first got into wine.
    For tomorrow….how about some dessert wines? Chambers Rosewood Muscat Library Code: 19430; Peller Estate Riesling Ice Wine 2004 Library Code: 3812; Bonny Doon Frambois Library Code: 19342; Kanu Kia Ora Noble Late Harves Library Code: 16312. All received 90-95 points from either Parker or Wine Spectator and I think it would be great to see how the different countries compare; Australia, Canada, US, and South African.

  17. January 4, 2007

    KAHUNA

    Hey Doc Brown- I have those in my racks now- I got lit at her staing room in Healdsburg- Well i had a head start before I got there and only had to walk to the hotel

  18. January 4, 2007

    E

    QOD1: the 2000 Ridge Buchignani I cracked open last summer. Elegant, fragrant, and delicious.
    QOD2: Vuelta a Espana!
    7021 – Itsas Mendi Txakoli
    4944 – Abad Dom Bueno Bierzo Crianza
    8250 – Finca Sandoval
    6103 – Ercavio La Plazuela

  19. January 3, 2007

    glenn

    sorry but i forgot my favorite zin answer. CG DiArie, Amador Co CA. Southern Exposure, any vintage is a wine you’ll find pleasing.

    CA fan – Glenn

  20. January 3, 2007

    Doc Brown

    QOD: Easy one……by far the best zin I hav had is was the 2002 Selby “bobcat” zin from sonoma. Huge fruit bomb, very complex, structured tannins. She is a small producer and sells only out of her tasting room in Healdsburg. If you ever are in the Sonoma area, drop by Selby, you will not be dissapointed in ANY of her wines!

  21. January 3, 2007

    glenn

    Gary – hate the j-e-t-s, jets, jets, jets but love you dude. man love only if that is cool. Ridge Montebello has been my CA Meritage of choice for years now and if purchased as a future thru the Ridge website is quite reasonable when compared to Palmeyer, Opus, Insignia, Dominus etc.

    keep on rockin’ man.

    Go Giants…

    CA fan – Glenn

  22. January 3, 2007

    Alaska1

    Ohhhhhhh YES!!!!!!!!!!! My fav ZIN!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! ok I do not want everyone to know the very best Zin but because you guys are like my new Fam, I will let you in. It is Everett Ridge. They are out of Dry Creek Sonoma. The 2001 was the one that put me over from Reisling to Red wine. It was the best wine I have ever HAD, other then DR.Loosen. I hope you can find some, I know they ship to NY, Fl and CA. So track some down. Great price too!

  23. January 3, 2007

    grilljockey

    CRAP! Lost out on top 60 by mere seconds.

  24. January 3, 2007

    grilljockey

    Woo hoo!!! Top 60!!!

    QOTD: Top for me was a recent 2001 Williams Selyem Zin

  25. January 3, 2007

    Len C

    Nice episode dude. QOD My favorite zin is an Italian Primitivo A Mano, why dont you taste the four Primitivos you have at WL? You could give a lesson on the grape too!

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